David Midlick and the Govs won their first road game of the season, snapping a three-game losing streak in league play to end their four-game road trip.
After trailing 51-49 nearing the end of the fourth quarter, the Govs closed out the stretch to win 73-60.
With the win, APSU improves to 3-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play.
During the fourth quarter, APSU outscored the Panthers 24-11.
APSU was led in scoring by Brandi Ferby, who finished with 19 points, three assists and seven steals.
Freshman Maggie Knowles finished the game with 16 points and seven rebounds and did not miss a shot. Arielle Gonzalez-Varner finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Govs held EIU to 40 percent shooting and forced 20 turnovers, including 13 steals.
APSU shot 45 percent and only turned the ball over 13 times. The Panthers out-rebounded the Govs 35-32.
“I thought in the first period we were trying to adjust to their zone. That is a team that plays a defense we have not seen this year and will not see until we play them again. Some poor passes and some poor shooting decisions contributed to scoring after the first quarter, but we learned as the game went on offensively and moved the ball really well in the second half,” Midlick said to letsgopeay.com.
The Govs previous three contests had resulted in slow starts and accompanying losses.
The Govs converted three of their first four field goals to open the contest, however, the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to answer their efforts. EIU took an 18-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter shifted in APSU’s favor, they outscored the Panthers 18-13 to take a one-point lead at the end of the half.
“I thought our defense was great in the fourth quarter. That’s a team who is really good at driving the ball and there aren’t many places to help out on since they have shooters. We were able to stay in front of them well in the second half and contest at the basket,” Midlick said to letsgopeay.com
The third quarter resulted in a deadlocked match entering the fourth quarter, as the Panthers outscored the Govs by one point.
Everything came together for the Govs in the fourth quarter. The offense found its rhythm and the defense locked down the Panthers’ offense.
Keisha Gregory helped spark the offense, scoring 11 of her 13 in the fourth quarter.
The Govs get back to .500 in conference ending a tough road stretch. The Govs sit at sixth in the OVC by holding the tiebreaker over Southeast Missouri.
APSU comes back to Clarksville, Tennessee and the Dunn Center on Jan. 24, to host Tennessee State with a 5:30 tipoff. The Tigers 1-17 on the season and 1-5 in the OVC.
